(Times of Israel) Rebecca Shimoni Stoil - The U.S. State Department backed away Tuesday from language included in the anti-BDS law signed by President Barack Obama on Monday which defines BDS as actions "intended to penalize or otherwise limit commercial relations specifically with Israel or persons doing business in Israel or in Israeli-controlled territories." State Department Spokesman Jack Kirby said in a statement Tuesday: "By conflating Israel and 'Israeli-controlled territories,' a provision of the Trade Promotion Authority legislation runs counter to longstanding U.S. policy towards the occupied territories, including with regard to settlement activity." Kirby continued: "The United States government has also strongly opposed boycotts, divestment campaigns, and sanctions targeting the State of Israel, and will continue to do so."
2015-07-01 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive